Cronulla has gutted its staff and stood down head coach Shane Flanagan as the fall-out from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's (ASADA) investigation continues to engulf the club.

With Sharks chairman Damian Irvine overseas, his deputy Keith Ward and former ASADA deputy chair Tricia Kavanagh fronted the media at the club's home ground on Friday afternoon.

The club held a press conference and here's how it happened. All times AEDT:

WRAP: Well there we have it then, the Cronulla Sharks in crisis less than 48 hours before their season gets underway and in all honesty the press conference didn't answer all the important questions. What we do know is that Sharks deputy chairman Keith Ward says he has acted following incidents of "serious mismanagement". The club has gutted its staff; head coach Steve Flanagan has been stood down pending a management review. Assistant coach Peter Sharp has been appointed interim coach. Football general manager Darren Mooney and head trainer Mark Noakes have been sacked while club doctor David Givney and physiotherapist Konrad Schultz "are no longer required". No players have been stood down but all in all it's safe to say the club's season is off to a dismal start. Thanks for following our live blog, Grandstand Sport will be back with live updates of all this weekend's sport from lunchtime tomorrow.

7:03pm: So the $64,000 question for Sharks fans now is what team will take the field for the season opener in under 48 hours time with several players in the squad believed to be under investigation. That press conference definitely inferred that players are going to be away from the public eye in the coming days and as our ABC analysts have said this evening, Sunday's line-up is almost anyone's guess at the moment.

6:57pm: And here's what Mr Dave Smith said following the NRL's statement:

"The board is acting decisively by putting in place management changes at the highest level. Our focus is on supporting the club in a way that will give players, supporters and sponsors confidence in the future. Earlier this week we asked ASADA to provide us with the names of any player it currently has sufficient evidence to request the NRL issue an infraction notice under our anti-doping code. The response we received back from ASADA was that its investigation continues and will for a number of weeks. ASADA indicated it is not currently in a position to request the NRL to issue any infraction notices. Without an infraction notice, the NRL will not stand down any player. Like players and fans, we share the frustrations they are feeling as the ASADA investigation continues."

6:55pm: The NRL has released a statement supporting the Sharks' decision today.

"NRL CEO Dave Smith has today given his support to the Cronulla Sharks board as it implements wide-ranging management changes to provide certainty for players and fans in the 2013 season. Mr Smith has also released details of a comprehensive support package which will benefit the Cronulla Sharks club, players and supporters."

6:52pm: Well as that press conference comes to a somewhat abrupt end, here's what the ABC's Shannon Byrnethought:

Well obviously they've come out and a lot can't be said in terms of the players and the findings and the speakings and what's going to be coming from ASADA but I guess the main point is they're looking at at least a three-month period. We know now to the end of May where the person that they've spoken about, who was they've admitted was asked to leave the club, Stephen Danks, and they've found over that time his dealings with the club has resulted in these people being stood down. There's going to be questions and thinking why is Shane Flanagan taking the flak now? This is what they've pointed out, that all these people have been stood down from a review they found over that period.

Shannon Byrne

6:58pm: The longer this press conference goes on, the more coy the club representatives are becoming, tip-toeing over legal issues they say. Tricia Kavanagh at this point says "we think we've had enough" and there we go the press conference comes to an end.

6:44pm: Here's confirmation of what Ward said about the players:

"In the absence of ASADA action against any player, no player will be stood down or otherwise adversely treated by the club. Each player is entitled to an unfettered presumption of innocence. The consequence of any decision by players to provide substantial assistance to the ASADA investigation are a matter wholly between the players, their legal representatives and ASADA. The club has made it clear that any player who does cooperate in this manner will receive financial support."

6:38pm:Ward's message to the club's fans:

"We're disappointed we have got to this situation. We're asking them to continue supporting us. This is about getting the house in order as we have found some failings. We are genuinely trying to get our house in order."

6:34pm: The players were briefed about the news a few hours ago by board members but Ward was not one of them. He has also said that no player will be stood down "until there is a confirmed finding against them".

6:32pm: Ward now says the club is focusing on the future. He says there will be a full review of the board and all management. Media are now asking if Flanagan put his hand up to leave or if they can provide a reason for his dismissal. The words "management accountability" seems to be being used a fair amount but there is no direct answer being given.

6:28pm: As Ward concludes his statement the floor is opened to the media. He reiterates his point that the sackings have come as a result of the findings of the club's inquiry.

Here's what Ward said when he confirmed the news that Flanagan has indeed been stood down:

"Cronulla Sharks head coach Mr Shane Flanagan has been stood down pending the outcome of the full management review. The employment of football manager Mr Darren Mooney and head sports trainer Mr Mark Noakes have been terminated. And the services of club doctor Dr Dave Givney and club physiotherapist Konrad Schultz will no longer be required. And can I stress, I know I've said it, but I will stress that the management changes I've just announced relate to management issues and in no way reflect anti-doping violations. It is with great regret that the board has taken this course of action but it does so given the serious nature of management failures identified. We make these decisions in the interest of our club going forward and in the interests of the game itself and the welfare of our playing group. We understand that Sharks fans and all rugby league supporters will be shocked by this news, but the board is determined that this was the most responsible and appropriate course of action to be taken at this point in time."

6:24pm: Ward has confirmed the sackings and has apologised to fans. He adds that the club is committed to fielding a team as strong as possible throughout the season. As we reported earlier, Peter Sharp will be leading the team for Sunday's opener.

On the appointment of Cullen, Ward said:

"Bruno has been one of the most successful chief executives in rugby league and has a distinguished career in the banking and finance industry. He has advised us today that he looks forward to joining our football club and is committed to assisting the club going forward subject to his other business interests. We welcome him to the Sharks at this very important juncture in our club's history."

Keith Ward speaking now:

"The decisions we are announcing today are as much about the future of the Sharks' club as they are about its past. It's about getting our house in order. They're about what we believe in as a club. What we want to be as a club and the standards we expect of everyone in the club."

6:20pm: the statement from the club also confirms the appointment of Bruno Cullen, former CEO of the Brisbane Broncos, as Interim Sharks Chief Executive pending the finalisation of terms with the Cronulla Board early next week.

6:16pm: A statement from the Cronulla Shark board confirms Shane Flanagan has been stepped down. Mooney and Noakes' contracts have been terminated. The club doctor has also been dismissed. Press conference starting now...

6:12pm: We should be going live to the press conference any minute now and this media meeting comes as we get news that two more clubs are set to be exposed tonight.

6:10pm: Here's what Beau Ryan of the Cronulla Sharks said about the situation and the impact it is having on players:

It’s taken its toll on the players, it’s been tough. There’s a lot of new guys trying to lift the spirit but all I can do I ask for support whether it’s a full strength side.

Beau Ryan, Cronulla Sharks

6:06pm:ABC's Shanon Byrnenow saying this knock-on effect of Flanagan's alleged sacking could see a number of players refuse to play for the club owing to clauses in their contract which state they agreed to play under his leadership. She calls the situation "diabolical for rugby league fans".

I have to say those Cronulla players who went to visit that trainer ... I thought that was absolutely outrageous. That is borderline intimidation of the witness. Those players need to stand down and let the process take its course and not interfere with anybody who is seeking to bring forward information. That was completely out of line what those players did. They went and paid a visit to his home and had a bit of a chat with him. The club should hold those players to account.

ASADA's former chief executive Richard Ings

5:59pm: I've just been informed that the press conference has been delayed by 10 minutes.

5:51pm: We’re about 10 minutes away from this press conference and the ABC's Tim Gavel says to expect things to become a lot clearer in the coming hour. He claims Flanagan is seeking legal advice though for now most information remains conjecture. So far we believe Flanagan and football general manager Darren Mooney have been sacked and Peter Sharp will become the interim coach for the season opener against Gold Coast at Shark Park on Sunday.